Trump Leads Biden in 2024 Presidential Race Amid Concerns About Biden’s Age

Recent poll results from The New York Times and Siena College have shown a significant shift in the 2024 presidential race, with Donald J. Trump now leading President Biden by 6 points among likely voters nationally. This change comes after Biden’s lackluster debate performance last week, raising concerns among Democrats and independent voters about the President’s age and ability to govern effectively.

The poll revealed that 74% of voters see Biden as too old for the job, a sentiment that has grown by 5 percentage points post-debate. Among Democrats, this concern has increased by 8 points, with 59% now questioning Biden’s age and fitness for office. Independents are also worried, with 79% expressing doubts about Biden’s capabilities.

The general consensus from the poll is that Biden, at 81, is viewed as too old to be effective by a majority of voters across demographic and ideological groups. This sentiment has cast a shadow over Biden’s re-election prospects, with some Democratic lawmakers and donors calling for him to prove his capability to serve until 86.

While there were a few positive takeaways for Biden, such as narrowing Trump’s lead among independent voters, the overall trend favors Trump. The former President’s machismo appeal seems to be resonating, especially among male voters, who showed a significant swing in favor of Trump post-debate.

The debate, watched by over 50 million Americans, showcased Trump’s dominance over Biden, with 60% of viewers acknowledging Trump’s performance over Biden’s. Even Democrats were critical of Biden’s showing, with only 16% believing he did well.

As the race tightens, concerns about Biden’s age, Trump’s popularity, and key issues like the economy and inflation will continue to shape voters’ decisions. Trump’s lead expanding post-debate indicates a challenging road ahead for Biden, who faces an uphill battle to win back disenchanted voters and prove his mettle against a resurgent Trump.

The 2024 election promises to be a showdown between two historically unpopular candidates, with stark divisions among voters along generational and party lines. As the campaign heats up, the candidates will need to navigate these challenges and make their case to a deeply divided electorate.

Key Findings from the Times/Siena Poll:

• We surveyed 1,532 registered voters from June 28 to July 2, 2024.
• The poll was conducted via telephone in both English and Spanish, with about 93% of respondents reached on cellphones.
• Voter selection was based on a list of registered voters to ensure demographic diversity and representation.
• The margin of sampling error among registered voters is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Overall, the latest poll results highlight the challenges and opportunities facing both Trump and Biden as they vie for the White House in 2024. With the race heating up and concerns about Biden’s age taking center stage, the coming months will be crucial in shaping the outcome of this high-stakes election.

For full poll results and detailed methodology, click here.

Authored by Ruth Igielnik, Nicholas Nehamas, and Camille Baker.